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Jazz wanted to trade for Mikal Bridges to entice Paul George?

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The Utah Jazz have all the cap space, veteran salaries and exorbitant draft capital to add the type of co-stars — such as Mikal Bridges, once upon a time, whom the team attempted to land this week, sources said, before New York splurged six years of first-round draft assets for the Villanova product — to round out a roster that already features All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen. That appears to have been Utah’s dreamiest plot this summer, according to league figures with knowledge of the situation, trading for one or even two more bonafide pieces to then entice Paul George to flee Los Angeles for Salt Lake City. That mirror to how George landed in Los Angeles back in 2019 — when the Clippers sent a bounty to OKC for his services, and thus signed Leonard in tow — is quite fascinating, although incredibly unlikely George makes it a reality.
Source: Yahoo! Sports

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Paul George free agency landing spots: Where 76ers, Clippers and Magic stack up, plus potential mystery teams
(By @SamQuinnCBS)
cbssports.com/nba/news/paul-… – 1:02 PM
Jake Fischer @JakeLFischer
Latest for @YahooSports: On the imminent free agency for Paul George, the first summer of the second apron, and the ripples effects from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, as well as Denver and Dallas: sports.yahoo.com/how-paul-georg… – 12:48 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Free agent Paul George to hold meetings with 76ers, Magic, Clippers
Was the last guy to take meetings in free agency KD in the Hamptons?
nbcsports.com/nba/news/free-… – 11:33 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
From yesterday ⁦@TheAthletic⁩
The news of Paul George opt out, the teams eliminated, how it got to this point with the Clippers, and what comes next
Paul George declining player option with Clippers, will become unrestricted free agent: Sources nytimes.com/athletic/55907… – 11:32 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Paul George wanted the Golden State Warriors: Clippers rejected several trades @Sportando sportando.basketball/en/paul-george… – 11:01 AM
Evan Sidery @esidery
Paul George gave strong indications he wanted to join the Warriors, which included serious trade negotiations with the Clippers through Saturday’s option deadline, per @timkawakami (nytimes.com/athletic/56045…).
Golden State offered some combination of Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, pic.twitter.com/HSb45o4gWa – 10:22 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Where would a Sixers squad led by Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey stack up in the Eastern Conference? pic.twitter.com/YcWHK7Yx6C – 10:20 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Sixers are a frontrunner for Paul George, but options behind him are slim in free agency inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 9:26 AM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Mikal Bridges is such a ridiculously perfect fit for the Knicks – 8:34 AM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Now on @njdotcom
Sixers are ‘significant threat to lure away’ Paul George from Clippers nj.com/sports/2024/06… – 7:38 AM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
With each day of Paul George news, Sixers go from +1200-+1400 now to +1100.
Clippers down tonight+3500, Orlando +9000.
Seems like One realistic place to go if he cares about winning and money and play style. @DKSportsbook – 12:56 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Will LeBron James take a paycut with the Lakers? Where will Paul George go? Jim Hill & I share our takes on @SportsCentralLA pic.twitter.com/C4yYs9pQoQ – 11:01 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Kinda funny how there hasn’t been, like, a single James Harden rumor so far this offseason.
Like not even a cursory, leverage report like “Orlando might pivot to him if they miss on Paul George!” Nope. Just going back to the Clippers for some big but not close to max number. – 10:34 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
There are a lot of ways I can characterize Clippers being reluctant to include a 4th year for Paul George
Being cheap, under Steve Ballmer, is not one of them – 9:29 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
The Warriors lost out on Paul George, plus they’re preparing to move on from Klay Thompson.
Chris Paul could soon be waived to clear $30 million in cap space.
Andrew Wiggins is being aggressively shopped on the trade market.
A massive offseason is unfolding for Golden State. pic.twitter.com/UffoLkc1rk – 9:00 PM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Can the 76ers get their man?
Can they turn the optimism that had transformed into skepticism into elation by nabbing their biggest free-agent acquisition in some time?
It appears the Sixers could be in line to lure Paul George in free agency.
Previewing Sixers’ free agency – 8:14 PM
Evan Dunlap @BQRMagic
Just getting a meeting with Paul George is something. Like, the NBA version of “it’s just an honor to be nominated.” Would be nice if he came here! – 7:52 PM
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
Paul George recently raved about Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic on his podcast. 👀 pic.twitter.com/0RGgMYZ9Y1 – 7:42 PM

Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Paul George declined his player option with the Clippers Saturday, keeping the Sixers in the running to land him in free agency.
inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 7:19 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
ESPN Sources: Paul George is planning to take free agent meetings with the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic beginning late Sunday night and Monday on the West Coast. pic.twitter.com/8MMStVjTGk – 7:11 PM

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Paul George plans to speak with the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic starting late Sunday night pacific time after free agency opens, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/HhlFLqtyoT – 7:11 PM

Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
Should Klay Thompson be upset with Warriors pursuit of Paul George? warriorswire.usatoday.com/2024/06/29/sho… pic.twitter.com/MlzcBdt7uP – 7:05 PM

Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Last week I wrote a deep dive on whether it would be realistic to build a team around a Big 3, investigating what the Sixers’ cap situation would look like if they signed Paul George to a max.
Bumping it today since Paul George opted out of his contract.
allphly.com/is-it-realisti… pic.twitter.com/nF9Fjd1MBo – 6:54 PM

Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
From our @BleacherReport livestream, what’s next for Paul George after opting out of his contract with the Clippers. pic.twitter.com/GEndHIcLZy – 6:51 PM

John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Several updates on our live blog here on :
– How LeBron pay cut greases a Klay Thompson move
– Wizards fun cap shenanigans redoing Holmes deal
– Logic on OKC moves with Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins
– A little-discussed apron wrinkle on Paul George moves
nytimes.com/athletic/live-… – 6:50 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Thunder one of seven teams that legally could sign Paul George, though not realistic:
si.com/nba/thunder/ne… – 6:44 PM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
I tweeted earlier that it was technically possible, but practically implausible, for the Sixers to sign Paul George and then trade Lauri Markkanen into space.
I deleted that tweet because even with that disclaimer it got people excited. A quick thread on why it’s so implausible – 6:42 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Top 10 NBA free agents: Paul George, LeBron James and more
Free agency beings Sunday, but it appears most of these talented players will be staying with their current teams. newsday.com/sports/basketb… – 6:33 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
📰 @TheAthletic
Paul George is an unrestricted free agent after declining the final year of his contract.
Warriors are out. Clippers have work cut out as the incumbent. 76ers lead cap teams. Thunder could make this extra dramatic. Strap in.
nytimes.com/athletic/55907… – 6:32 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Story coming soon @TheAthletic
What we’re looking at with Paul George though:
– return to LAC
– sign outright with cap room team that doesn’t have to do anything (PHI, ORL, DET)
– sign with team that can reasonably clear space (OKC, CHA, UTA, SA) – 6:23 PM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Paul George opts to become a free agent and will likely have to weigh playing somewhere else for more money and years or staying at home near family and remaining in LA for potentially less than max. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 6:04 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Paul George opts out of $48.8 million contract with Clippers, will become free agent
nbcsports.com/nba/news/paul-… – 5:45 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Saturday marked an important date for things to get very interesting for the Sixers in free agency.
The Paul George domino fell their way.
In just about 24 hours, they’ll be able to start bidding on the best free agent available @973ESPN:
973espn.com/paul-george-op… – 5:37 PM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Going live at 5:30 for a quick reaction pod to the news that Paul George will hit the free agency market.
youtube.com/live/gyaqswFlV… pic.twitter.com/gzhyeXCKWt – 5:28 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
The great Jim Hill and I will talk plenty about LeBron James, Paul George and more Lakers/Clippers free agency on @SportsCentralLA. Tune into CBSLA at 3 pm PT!! – 5:28 PM
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
Report: Paul George declines player option with Clippers, entering free agency warriorswire.usatoday.com/2024/06/29/rep… pic.twitter.com/AdBlVKc7eO – 5:20 PM

Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS
Paul George opting out boosts already high likelihood he chooses between Clippers and Sixers. Clips have advantage – for now – per source.
This gives Klay Thompson leverage with Warriors, who dread the idea of Klay and CP3 walking without a star coming in. – 5:12 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Can the Clippers win a title if Paul George is not on the team?
@TermineRadio talks with @JumpShot8 about the Clippers star forward’s leverage heading into free agency pic.twitter.com/Z4KASmc2rc – 5:12 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I think as a pure basketball fan, the most fun outcome is Paul George to Orlando, partially because it creates a new championship contender, partially because Philly is likelier to do something out of the box weird if they don’t get him and I generally root for chaos. – 5:04 PM
Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
Paul George seemed like the only *realistic* pathway for the Warriors to acquire a needle moving, star player. And as the day went on even that started to feel far fetched.
I don’t expect any type of big splash to happen. – 4:58 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
My preliminary Paul George sweepstakes power rankings:
1. 76ers
2. Clippers
3. Magic
4. Mystery team (OKC?) – 4:57 PM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
As a reminder, the most the Sixers can offer Paul George is:
2024-25: $49.35m
2025-26: $51.8m
2026-27: $54.3m
2027-28: $56.75m
4 years, $212 million. – 4:53 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
My guess is that Paul George kind of grinds a lot of league business to a halt these next few days.
Like, Hartenstein and KCP sort of need PG’s situation to settle because they’ve been linked to Orlando and Philly. And other guys need THEM to settle, and so on, and so on. – 4:52 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Gonna be very, very interested to see who actually asks for a Paul George meeting. We obviously assume that the Sixers and Magic will. Is there a mystery team?
All along, I’ve wondered if the Thunder would dip their toes in. They could get in max range by trading Dort. – 4:50 PM
Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
Fascinating to see how the Clippers pivot if Paul George leaves in free agency. Are they going to pay Harden and build around him and Kawhi? – 4:48 PM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Clippers All-Star forward Paul George is opting out of his $48.7 million contract, per sources. George will become a free agent. – 4:48 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Paul George to opt out of Clippers contract, become free agent and take meetings, per report cbssports.com/nba/news/paul-… – 4:45 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I don’t think this *fully* knocks the Warriors out of the Paul George race, but it’s obviously substantially harder for them now. The goal would’ve been to use the second apron hard cap if they’d gotten him. Now, through sign-and-trade, they’d have to stay under the first apron. – 4:45 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Clippers are playing an interesting game of chicken with Paul George. If PG walks — and interest will be strong — LA will be faced with the possibility of opening up a new building with a team that may not make the play-in tournament. – 4:44 PM
Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
Paul George has been extension-eligible with the Clippers for almost a year. Now he will test free agency to see if there’s a greater deal out there.
Paul George can re-sign with the Clippers for a maximum of four years, $221 million. He can also add a no-trade clause.
Other – 4:44 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
Paul George has declined his player option to become an unrestricted free agent, per @wojespn.
All opt-in and trade scenarios are now off the board.
George will meet with the Clippers, Sixers and other cap space teams once free agency begins. pic.twitter.com/rPO9HNZo6k – 4:43 PM

Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Sources: Paul George intends to decline his $48.79 million player option and enter unrestricted free agency, @hoopshype has learned. The Philadelphia 76ers are among the teams expected to strongly pursue the nine-time All-Star forward and have max cap space to offer. pic.twitter.com/8PuEcdlvc7 – 4:43 PM

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Warriors have been under the impression today that they are out on Paul George. The reported opt-out seals it. – 4:42 PM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George is declining his $48.8M player option to become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. pic.twitter.com/NduizsJVyd – 4:41 PM

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
BREAKING: Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George is declining his $48.7M option and entering free agency, sources tell ESPN. He’s planning to set meetings with cap space teams and the Clippers beginning Sunday night. An opt-in/trade scenario is now gone. pic.twitter.com/kASDp58eDD – 4:40 PM

Ian Begley @IanBegley
A few notes on the Knicks’ cap situation after the NBA Draft, why they likely have to include another player in the Mikal Bridges trade and more here: on.sny.tv/kZNEgir – 11:02 AM
Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Sports+: Why Mikal Bridges may not be last #Nets veteran on the move nypost.com/2024/06/29/spo… – 9:09 AM
Evan Sidery @esidery
The Jazz are open to listening to trade offers on Lauri Markkanen, per @wojespn:
– Utah was seriously in on acquiring Mikal Bridges, and now teams wonder if they will pivot to sell.
– Utah would like to keep Markkanen “in a perfect world,” but teams are preparing aggressive pic.twitter.com/SjWXmDuhVA – 8:33 AM

Steve Popper @StevePopper
Popper: Knicks have work to do to keep Hartenstein
After the OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges moves, it’s up to Brock Aller to figure out how to bring back the valuable big man. newsday.com/sports/columni… – 9:13 PM
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
This off-season belongs to the New York Knicks.
Traded for Mikal Bridges
Re-sign OG Anunoby
Drafted Pacome Dadiet, Tyler Kolek
They go all-in for the championship. Big-time season in New York ahead of. #NewYorkForever #NBA – 7:48 PM
Adam Aaronson @SixersAdam
Woj just said on ESPN that the Utah Jazz — with Lauri Markkanen — are in a similar position to Brooklyn before they moved Mikal Bridges. They want to bring in players around Markkanen, but plenty of teams are interested.
“I don’t think it’s their intention to move him.” – 4:24 PM

More on this storyline

The two sides have had months to find an extension similar to Leonard’s three-year, $153 million agreement in January, exchanging various proposals, sources said, but that critical lack of a fourth year from the Clippers, what could be the difference of some $60 million, is what’s prompted George to listen to offers from the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic once free agency begins, sources confirmed to Yahoo Sports, in addition to George’s incumbent Clippers. -via Yahoo! Sports / June 30, 2024
Both the 76ers and Magic, sources said, are prepared to lavish Paul George with four-year maximum contracts, as were the Warriors if George would have exercised his $48.7 million player option for this upcoming 2024-25 season. There’s another team lingering on the periphery of this situation as well. -via Yahoo! Sports / June 30, 2024
George does not want to leave Los Angeles because of some rift with president Lawrence Frank or some disdain for playing with Leonard and Harden, sources said. This seems to simply boil down to a 34-year-old All-Star, already barred from signing a five-year contract, thanks to the NBA’s over-38 rule, cashing in on his last swing standing at the plate of the open market. -via Yahoo! Sports / June 30, 2024
The team discussed the possibility of including Miles McBride in the Bridges trade, according to league sources — and not because they are itching to trade away a 23-year-old fireball on a minuscule contract, only $13 million over the next three seasons. It’s math. If they wanted to, the Knicks could find a third team to route McBride to, acquire a future first-round pick in the process and avoid the first-apron hard cap. His salary plus Bogdanović’s would just barely top Bridges’. But they have since shied away from that scenario, a league source said. -via New York Times / June 27, 2024
The Knicks can avoid the first apron hard-cap by adding to the Bridges trade. They’d need to add roughly $5 million in salary to the trade. If they accomplish that, the Knicks will be hard-capped at the second apron ($189.5 million). This would give them enough flexibility to offer Isaiah Hartenstein a deal that starts at $16.2 million. The Knicks are limited to that offer because they have Hartenstein’s Early Bird rights. -via SportsNet New York / June 27, 2024